Pump group comprising two command modules

ABSTRACT

A pump group of a cooling system of a vehicle is provided. The pump group extends along a main axis and includes an axial flow stator that produces an electromagnetic action in a direction parallel to the main axis, and two command modules positioned at two opposite axial ends of the axial flow stator. Each command module has an impeller, an impeller shaft extending along the main axis and having an impeller end, the impeller being integrally connected to the impeller end, and a control portion configured to receive a rotational control action. A rotor is integrally connected to the control portion that is controllable in rotation by action of the axial flow stator.

The present invention relates to a pump group for a vehicle cooling system. Preferably, reference is made to the cooling circuit of the vehicle's engine group. The present invention also relates to a cooling system of a vehicle which comprises said pump group.

As described in detail below, the pump group according to the present invention is suitable for controlling at least a predetermined quantity of cooling liquid in said system.

In particular, the present invention is not limited to the type of engine group subject to cooling. Preferably, the present invention finds a particular operative context in the cooling of electric motor engines, comprising at least one battery group.

In the automotive sector, cooling pump group solutions aimed to regulate the cooling modes of the engine group and/or other vehicle components have already been known for some time.

A problem encountered in the currently known solutions of pump groups belonging to the prior art is that they are not particularly versatile, as they are not able to manage variable amounts and/or flow rates of the cooling liquid.

The known solutions of pump groups (both mechanically driven, electrically driven, and dual-driven) belonging to the prior art in which an attempt has been made to obtain greater versatility in the management of the cooling liquid have proved particularly complex and particularly bulky, thus causing further undesired problems.

The object of the present invention is to provide a pump group which is adapted to manage the cooling liquid in an extremely versatile manner, while avoiding the aforementioned problems.

This object is achieved by a pump group implemented according to claim 1. At the same time, this object is also achieved by a cooling system according to claim 13, by a cooling system according to claim 14, and by a cooling system according to claim 15. The dependent claims describe preferred embodiment variants and involving further advantageous aspects.

The object of the present invention is described in detail hereafter, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the pump group object of the present invention, according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view in separate parts of the pump group of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the pump group of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4a and 4b show two schematizations of cooling system comprising a pump group according to a preferred embodiment, in a serial operating configuration and in a parallel operating configuration, respectively;

FIG. 5 shows a graph representing the operating curve of a pump group belonging to the prior art, and of the pump group object of the present invention in the respective operating configurations.

In the above accompanying figures, with reference numeral 1, a pump group of a cooling system of a vehicle, in particular of an engine group of a vehicle, has been characterized as a whole. According to a preferred embodiment, the engine group is of the internal combustion type or of the electric or hybrid type.

According to the present invention, and as apparent in the following description or in the accompanying figures, the pump group 1 extends with respect to a main axis X-X.

According to the present invention, the pump group 1 comprises an axial flow stator 2 which produces an electromagnetic action in a direction parallel to the main axis X-X.

Moreover, according to the present invention, the pump group 1 comprises two command modules 3 positioned at the two opposite axial ends of the stator 2; both command modules 3 are suitable for controlling a predefined quantity of cooling liquid.

Specifically, in fact, each command module 3 defines a rotating chamber 300 in which the cooling liquid flows.

According to the present invention, each command module 3 comprises an impeller 4 and an impeller shaft 5 to which said impeller is integrally connected.

According to a preferred embodiment, the impeller 4 is of the radial type: it receives cooling liquid in a direction parallel to the main axis X-X to perform a thrust action thereon in the radial direction with respect to the main axis X-X.

According to the present invention, the impeller shaft 5 extends along the main axis X-X and comprises an impeller end 51 on which the impeller 4 is integrally connected and a control portion 52 adapted to receive a rotational control action.

In fact, each command module 3 also comprises a rotor 6 integrally connected to said control portion 52 controllable in rotation by the action of the stator 2.

According to the present invention, the stator 2 controls the rotors 6 of the two command modules 3 in rotation and therefore controls the two impellers 4 in rotation.

According to a preferred embodiment, the stator 2 comprises a series of stator poles. Preferably, between said stator poles there are first stator poles adapted to produce an electromagnetic action in a first axial direction for controlling the rotor 6 of the first command module 3 and second stator poles adapted to produce an electromagnetic action in a second axial direction for controlling the second rotor 6 of the second command module 3.

According to a preferred embodiment, the pump group 1 comprises an electronic control unit 7 operatively connected to the stator 2 for controlling the actuation thereof. In particular, said electronic control unit 7 is adapted to manage the actuation of the stator poles controlling the actuation of each impeller 4. Preferably, the stator 2 is connected to the electronic control unit 7 by means of a connector 27.

For example, according to a preferred embodiment, with a stator 2 comprising six stator poles, three stator poles are dedicated to rotate the first rotor while other three poles are dedicated to drive the second rotor in rotation.

According to a preferred embodiment, the rotor 6 comprises a discoidal element 61 of substantially planar annular shape in which the angularly equidistant rotor poles are housed.

Preferably, the rotor 6 comprises a central element 62 integrally connected to the control portion 52 of the impeller shaft 5. The discoidal element 61 extends radially from said central portion 62.

According to a preferred embodiment, the pump group 1 comprises a pump body 8 in which the stator 2 is housed.

Preferably, the pump body 8 is the component that performs a structural support function.

According to a preferred embodiment, the pump body 8 comprises a stator chamber 82 specially shaped to house the stator 2. In other words, the stator is geometrically suitable for housing in said stator chamber 82 engaging the delimiting walls thereof.

According to a preferred embodiment, the two command modules 3 are mounted on the pump body 8 on two opposite axial sides.

According to a preferred embodiment, the pump body 8 comprises a support foot 87 suitable for supporting the pump body 8 in a predefined position. According to a preferred embodiment, said electronic control unit 7 is housed in said support foot 87.

According to a preferred embodiment, the pump body 8 is made of a metallic material, for example is made of aluminum alloy.

According to a preferred embodiment, each command module 3 comprises a module casing 30 inside which the impeller chamber 300 is defined.

Preferably, each command module 3 consists of two half-shells.

The command module 3 comprises a flat shell 31 and a volute shell 32 mutually joined to each other.

Preferably, the flat shell 31 is suitable for engaging the pump body 8.

Preferably, the volute shell 32 is suitable for defining the volute in which and according to which the cooling liquid flows.

In particular, the volute shell 32 comprises an inlet mouth 321 and an outlet mouth 322.

According to a preferred embodiment, the impeller shaft 5 is supported, aligned with the main axis X-X, by the flat shell 31.

According to a preferred embodiment, the flat shell 31 comprises a support opening 310 which is engaged by the impeller shaft 5 (in particular, the impeller shaft 5 is also understood to include the relative support bearing).

According to the present invention, the control portion 52 of the impeller shaft protrudes from the flat shell 31.

In other words, the rotor 6 is mounted on the impeller shaft 5 positioned outside the module casing 30. According to a preferred embodiment, the flat shell 31 comprises an annular housing for the rotor housing 316 in which the discoidal element 61 is housed.

According to a preferred embodiment, each command module 3 comprises a dynamic gasket 35 positioned in said support opening 310.

According to a preferred embodiment, the module casing 30 is made of a plastic material.

Moreover, according to a preferred embodiment, furthermore, in the stator cavity 20 (i.e. in the internal space of the stator 2) the impeller shafts 5 and the rotors 6 are partially housed (as shown by way of example in the accompanying figures). In this way, the axial dimensions of the pump group are maximized.

As stated, the object of the present invention is also a cooling system of a vehicle which comprises a pump group having the features described above and the advantages highlighted below.

According to a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4a , in the cooling system the two command modules 3 operate in series. Preferably, therefore, a predefined quantity of cooling liquid flows first in the first command module 3 and subsequently in the second command module 3. Advantageously, the same flow rate of cooling liquid is subjected to a combined action of the two impellers 4.

According to a preferred embodiment variant, as shown in FIG. 4b , in the cooling system the two command modules 3 operate in parallel. Preferably, therefore, two predefined distinct quantities of cooling liquid each flow into a respective command module 3. Advantageously, the pump group 1 moves a flow rate of double cooling liquid.

According to a preferred embodiment, the cooling system of a vehicle comprising, in addition to the pump group 1, a plurality of valve groups which manage the flowing directions of the cooling liquid flowing in the system. In other words, depending on the positioning of said valve groups, the two command modules 3 of the pump group 1 operate in series or in parallel.

FIG. 5 shows, by way of example, a graph representing the operating curve of a pump group belonging to the prior art, and of the pump group object of the present invention in the respective operating configurations (i.e. in series or in parallel); in which the pump group belonging to the prior art and the pump group object of the present invention are in identical conditions (i.e. rotor speed of the impeller and resistance curve of the plant); in particular, the curves of the pump group object of the present invention take into account that the command modules are mutually identical.

Innovatively, the pump group object of the present invention solves the problems of the prior art, providing a pump group which is adapted to manage the cooling liquid in an extremely versatile manner, overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art solutions. Innovatively, the cooling system of the present invention also fully fulfills the intended purpose.

Advantageously, the pump group of the present invention is suitable for managing the same amount of cooling liquid in series.

Advantageously, the pump group object of the present invention is suitable for managing in parallel distinct quantities of cooling liquid.

Advantageously, the pump group of the present invention is compact and not bulky, suitable for being housed in a vehicle, for example in the engine compartment of a vehicle.

Advantageously, the pump group object of the present invention can be provided with identical command modules.

Advantageously, the pump group object of the present invention can be provided with command modules having different features, for example with different impellers and/or the different volutes.

Advantageously, the pump group object of the present invention has balanced axial forces and stresses.

Advantageously, the pump group object of the present invention produces little noise.

Advantageously, the stator is controlled by a single control unit.

Advantageously, the control unit is in a position in which its cooling is facilitated.

Advantageously, the pump group can be controlled in an operating mode in which the two modules cooperate in series and an operating mode in which the two modules cooperate in parallel.

It is clear that a man skilled in the art may make changes to the pump group and/or to the cooling system described above in order to meet incidental needs, all falling within the scope of protection defined in the following claims.

Moreover, each variant described as belonging to a possible embodiment may be implemented independently of the other variants described. 

1-15. (canceled)
 16. A pump group of a cooling system of a vehicle, the pump group extending along a main axis and comprising: an axial flow stator that produces an electromagnetic action in a direction parallel to the main axis; a first command module and a second command module, positioned at two opposite axial ends of the axial flow stator, each command module defining a respective impeller chamber in which cooling liquid flows, wherein each command module comprises: i) an impeller; ii) an impeller shaft that extends along the main axis and comprises an impeller end, the impeller being integrally connected to said impeller end, and a control portion configured to receive a rotational control action; and iii) a rotor integrally connected to said control portion controllable in rotation by action of the axial flow stator; and a pump body comprising a specially shaped stator chamber, in which the axial flow stator is housed, wherein the first and second command modules are mounted to the pump body on two opposite axial sides, wherein each command module further comprises a module casing, the impeller chamber being defined in said module casing, a flat shell and a volute shell mutually engaged with each other, and wherein the impeller shaft is supported aligned with the main axis by the flat shell through a support opening and the control portion protrudes from the flat shell.
 17. The pump group of claim 16, wherein the axial flow stator comprises first stator poles configured to produce an electromagnetic action in a first axial direction for controlling the rotor of the first command module and second stator poles configured to produce an electromagnetic action in a second axial direction for controlling the rotor of the second command module.
 18. The pump group of claim 16, wherein the rotor comprises a discoidal element of planar annular shape in which angularly equidistant rotor poles are housed.
 19. The pump group of claim 16, wherein the rotor comprises a central element integrally connected to the control portion of the impeller shaft.
 20. The pump group of claim 16, wherein the impeller is of radial type and receives the cooling liquid in a direction parallel to the main axis to perform a thrust action thereon in a radial direction with respect to the main axis.
 21. The pump group of claim 16, wherein each command module comprises a dynamic gasket positioned in said support opening.
 22. The pump group of claim 16, further comprising an electronic control unit operatively connected to the axial flow stator to control actuation thereof.
 23. The pump group of claim 22, wherein the pump body comprises a support foot housing said electronic control unit.
 24. The pump group of claim 16, wherein the impeller shafts and the rotors are partially housed in a stator cavity.
 25. The pump group of claim 16, wherein the first and second command modules are identical.
 26. A cooling system of a vehicle, the cooling system comprising a pump group extending along a main axis and comprising: an axial flow stator that produces an electromagnetic action in a direction parallel to the main axis; a first command module and a second command module, positioned at two opposite axial ends of the axial flow stator, each command module defining a respective impeller chamber in which cooling liquid flows, wherein each command module comprises: i) an impeller; ii) an impeller shaft that extends along the main axis and comprises an impeller end, the impeller being integrally connected to said impeller end, and a control portion configured to receive a rotational control action; and iii) a rotor integrally connected to said control portion controllable in rotation by action of the axial flow stator; and a pump body comprising a specially shaped stator chamber, in which the axial flow stator is housed, wherein the first and second command modules are mounted to the pump body on two opposite axial sides, wherein each command module further comprises a module casing, the impeller chamber being defined in said module casing, a flat shell and a volute shell mutually engaged with each other, and wherein the impeller shaft is supported aligned with the main axis by the flat shell through a support opening and the control portion protrudes from the flat shell, wherein the first and second command modules operate in series, so that a predefined quantity of cooling liquid flows first in the first command module and then in the second command module.
 27. The cooling system of claim 26, wherein the first and second command modules operate, fluidically connected to each other, in parallel, so that a respective predefined quantity of cooling liquid flows in each command module.
 28. The cooling system of claim 26, further comprising a plurality of valve groups that manage flowing directions of the cooling liquid flowing in a plant, wherein the first and second command modules operate in series or in parallel according to positioning of said plurality of valve groups. 